Intragastric balloon for treating obesity

ABSTRACT

A transorally implanted intragastric balloon or treating obesity and for weight control including a variable size balloon with one or interconnected regions acting to exert a pressure on the stomach, to provide a stomach volume occupying effect, and/or to anchor the balloon within the stomach.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is an intragastric device and uses thereof fortreating obesity, weight loss and/or obesity-related diseases and, morespecifically, to transorally (as by endoscopy) delivered intragastricdevices designed to occupy space within a stomach and/or stimulate thestomach wall and react to changing conditions within the stomach.

Over the last 50 years, obesity has been increasing at an alarming rateand is now recognized by leading government health authorities, such asthe Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institutes of Health(NIH), as a disease. In the United States alone, obesity affects morethan 60 million individuals and is considered the second leading causeof preventable death. Worldwide, approximately 1.6 billion adults areoverweight, and it is estimated that obesity affects at least 400million adults.

Obesity is caused by a wide range of factors including genetics,metabolic disorders, physical and psychological issues, lifestyle, andpoor nutrition. Millions of obese and overweight individuals first turnto diet, fitness and medication to lose weight; however, these effortsalone are often not enough to keep weight at a level that is optimal forgood health. Surgery is another increasingly viable alternative forthose with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 40. In fact, thenumber of bariatric surgeries in the United States was estimated to beabout 400,000 in 2010.

Examples of surgical methods and devices used to treat obesity includethe LAP-BAND® (Allergan Medical of Irvine, Calif.) gastric band and theLAP-BAND AP® (Allergan). However, surgery might not be an option forevery obese individual; for certain patients, non-surgical therapies orminimal-surgery options are more effective or appropriate.

In the early 1980s, physicians began to experiment with the placement ofintragastric balloons to reduce the size of the stomach reservoir, andconsequently its capacity for food. Once deployed in the stomach, theballoon helps to trigger a sensation of fullness and a decreased feelingof hunger. These devices are designed to provide therapy for moderatelyobese individuals who need to shed pounds in preparation for surgery, oras part of a dietary or behavioral modification program. These balloonsare typically cylindrical or pear-shaped, generally range in size from200-500 ml or more, are made of an elastomer such as silicone,polyurethane, or latex, and are filled with air, an inert gas, water, orsaline.

One such inflatable intragastric balloon is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,084,061 and is commercially available as the BioEnterics IntragastricBalloon System (“BIB System,” sold under the trademark ORBERA). The BIBSystem comprises a silicone elastomer intragastric balloon that isinserted into the stomach and filled with fluid. Conventionally, theballoons are placed in the stomach in an empty or deflated state andthereafter filled (fully or partially) with a suitable fluid. Theballoon occupies space in the stomach, thereby leaving less roomavailable for food and creating a feeling of satiety for the patient.Placement of the intragastric balloon is non-surgical, trans-oral,usually requiring no more than 20-30 minutes. The procedure is performedgastroscopically in an outpatient setting, typically using localanesthesia and sedation. Placement of such balloons is temporary, andsuch balloons are typically removed after about six months. Removing theballoon requires deflation by puncturing with a gastroscopic instrument,and either aspirating the contents of the balloon and removing it, orallowing the fluid to pass into the patient's stomach. Clinical resultswith these devices show that for many obese patients, the intragastricballoons significantly help to control appetite and accomplish weightloss.

Some attempted solutions for weight loss by placing devices in thestomach result in unintended consequences. For instance, some devicestend to cause food and liquid to back up in the stomach, leading tosymptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in whichthe stomach contents (food or liquid) leak backwards from the stomachinto the esophagus. Also, the stomach acclimates to some gastric implantdevices, leading to an expansion of stomach volume and consequentreduction in the efficacy of the device.

Therefore, despite many advances in the design of intragastric obesitytreatment implants, there remains a need for improved devices that canbe implanted for longer periods than before or otherwise address certaindrawbacks of intragastric balloons and other such implants.

SUMMARY

A transorally inserted intragastric device of the present invention canbe used to treat obesity and/or for weight control. The device can dothis by causing a feeling or a sensation of satiety in the patient onseveral basis, for example by contacting the inside or a portion of theinside of the stomach wall of the patient. In addition, preferably thetransoral intragastric device allows for easy and quick placement andremoval. Surgery is usually not required or is very minimal. In oneembodiment, the transoral intragastric device can be placed in thepatient's stomach through the mouth and the esophagus and then beingplaced to reside in the stomach. The transoral intragastric device doesnot require suturing or stapling to the esophageal or stomach wall, andcan remain inside the patient's body for a lengthy period of time (e.g.,months or years) before removal.

Each of the disclosed devices is formed of materials that will resistdegradation over a period of at least six months within the stomach. Theimplantable devices are configured to be compressed into a substantiallylinear transoral delivery configuration and placed in a patient'sstomach transorally without surgery to treat and prevent obesity byapplying a pressure to the patient's stomach.

In one embodiment, a transoral intragastric device can be used to treatobesity or to reduce weight by stimulating the stomach walls of thepatient. The intragastric spring device can be a purely mechanicaldevice comprising a flexible body which in response to an input force inone direction, may deform and cause a resultant displacement in anorthogonal direction, thereby exerting a pressure on the inner stomachwalls of the patient.

In another embodiment, a transoral orthogonal intragastric device caninclude a variable size balloon. The balloon may be configured to occupyvolume in the patient's stomach, thereby reducing the amount of space inthe patient's stomach.

A still further reactive implantable device disclosed herein has aninflatable body with an internal volumetric capacity of between 400-700ml and being made of a material that permits it to be compressed into asubstantially linear transoral delivery configuration and that willresist degradation over a period of at least six months within thestomach. The body has a central inflatable member and at least two outerwings, and a single internal fluid chamber such that fluid may flowbetween the central inflatable member and the outer wings. Theinflatable body is under filled with fluid such that the outer wings arefloppy in the absence of compressive stress on the central inflatablemember and stiff when compressive stress from the stomach acts on thecentral inflatable member. The central inflatable member may have agenerally spherical shape along an axis. There are preferably two outerwings extending in opposite directions from the generally sphericalinflatable member along the axis. In one form, each of the outer wingsincludes a narrow shaft portion connected to the central inflatablemember terminating in bulbous heads.

An embodiment of the present invention can be an intragastric balloonconfigured to be implanted transorally into a patient's stomach to treatobesity. Such an intragastric balloon can comprise an inflatable hollowbody, the body having a volume which is substantially the same bothbefore and after inflation of the body with a fluid. The body can bemade of a material that permits the body to be compressed into asubstantially linear transoral delivery configuration, and that willresist degradation over a period of at least six months within thestomach. Additionally, the body can have a single internal chamber withone or more interconnected regions, such that the fluid can flow betweeneach region, the inflatable body being under filled with the fluid suchthat the once inflated the body is not rigid, thereby having thecapability to confirm to the shape of a the stomach. For thisintragastric balloon the volume can be between about 300 ml and about700 ml.

An embodiment of the intragastric balloon disclosed in the paragraph canhave three regions, a proximal region for inducing satiety by exerting apressure on the stomach, a larger central region for inducing satiety byproviding a stomach volume occupying effect, and a smaller distal regionfor anchoring the balloon within the stomach. The intragastric ballooncan also have an increased thickness of the distal region shapes forpreventing migration of the balloon out of the distal stomach.Additionally, the intragastric can also have in the central region acircumferential ring to for help prevent collapse of the balloon.Furthermore, in the proximal region of the balloon there can be a spinefor maintaining the shape of the balloon.

An detailed embodiment of the present invention can be an intragastricballoon configured to be implanted transorally into a patient's stomachto treat obesity, the intragastric balloon comprising: an inflatablehollow body, the body having a volume between about 300 ml and about 700mls, which volume is substantially the same both before and afterinflation of the body with a fluid, wherein the body is made of amaterial that permits the body to be compressed into a substantiallylinear transoral delivery configuration, and that will resistdegradation over a period of at least six months within the stomach,wherein the body has a single internal chamber with one or moreinterconnected regions, such that the fluid can flow between eachregion, the inflatable body being under filled with the fluid such thatthe once inflated the body is not rigid, thereby having the capabilityto confirm to the shape of a the stomach, wherein the body has threeregions, a proximal region for inducing satiety by exerting a pressureon the stomach, a larger central region for inducing satiety byproviding a stomach volume occupying effect, and a smaller distal regionfor anchoring the balloon within the stomach, wherein the distal regionfurther comprises an increased thickness for preventing migration of theballoon out of the distal stomach, the central region further comprisesa circumferential ring for helping preventing collapse of the inflatedor deflated balloon, and the proximal region further comprises a spinefor helping to maintain the shape of the balloon.

DRAWINGS

The following detailed descriptions are given by way of example, but notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure solely to the specificembodiments described herein, may best be understood in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a reactive intragastric implant comprising an underfilled inflatable member having outer wings that transition betweenfloppy to stiff configurations.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the intragastric implant of FIG. 1 implanted in thestomach in both relaxed and squeezed states, showing the transition ofthe outer wings between floppy and stiff configurations.

FIG. 3A is diagram illustrating on the left hand side of FIG. 3A anunfilled known intragastric balloon. The right pointing arrow in FIG. 3Arepresents filling 700 ml of saline into the unfilled intragastricballoon, resulting as shown on the right hand side of FIG. 3A in aballoon shell that is stretched and a balloon that is rigid. The upwardspointing arrow in FIG. 3A represents the high pressure that is exertedby the 700 ml filled balloon onto the inside wall of a patient's stomachby the so filled intragastric balloon. Thus there is a positivedifferential pressure in the balloon relative to outside of the balloon(i.e. differential pressure>0)

FIG. 3B is a corresponding diagram illustrating on the left hand side ofFIG. 3B an unfilled compliant intragastric balloon. The right pointingarrow in FIG. 3B represents filling 700 ml of saline into the unfilledintragastric balloon, resulting as shown on the right hand side of FIG.3BA in a balloon shell that is under minimal strain and a balloon thatis compliant. The downwards pointing arrow in FIG. 3B represents thelower pressure that is exerted by the 700 ml filled compliant balloon,by a differing or amorphous balloon shell shape, onto the inside wall ofa patient's stomach by the so filled compliant intragastric balloon.Thus, there exists a zero or negligible differential pressure in theballoon relative to the outside of the balloon (i.e. differentialpressure is zero or almost zero)

FIG. 4 is an illustrative, perspective view of a saline containingcompliant balloon implanted within a patient's stomach, with theproximal (near) stomach wall removed to show the balloon therein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mandrel (the work piece or mold)over which a liquid polymer (i.e. silicone) dispersion is placed (as bya serial dipping procedure) and then heat cured so as to create thecompliant balloon of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6A to 6G are diagrammatic illustrations of compliant balloongeometries, alternative to those of FIGS. 4 and 5, within the scope ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative, perspective view of a further embodiment(kidney shaped), saline containing compliant balloon implanted within apatient's stomach, with the proximal (near) stomach wall removed to showthe balloon therein.

FIG. 8A to 8C are diagrammatic illustrations of three furtherembodiments of compliant balloons within the scope of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9A is a diagram of a mandrel useful for making a further embodimentof the present intragastric balloon.

FIG. 9B is a diagram of another mandrel useful for making a furtherembodiment of the present intragastric balloon.

FIG. 9C is a diagram of another mandrel useful for making a furtherembodiment of the present intragastric balloon.

FIG. 9D is a diagram of another mandrel useful for making a furtherembodiment of the present intragastric balloon.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an inflated intragastric balloon made using theFIG. 9A mandrel.

FIG. 11 is a perspective photograph of an intragastric balloon of thepresent invention enclosed by a novel delivery sheath.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention is based on the discovery that an under filledintragastric balloon can be made to have, once so under filed(“inflated”), a geometry (shape upon inflation) which is flexible or“amorphous”, as opposed to having a rigid shape. Unlike the presentinvention, a rigid upon inflation intragastric balloon does not conformto the shape of the lumen of the stomach into which the balloon isimplanted. In one embodiment, an intragastric device described hereincan be placed inside the patient, transorally and without invasivesurgery, without associated patient risks of invasive surgery andwithout substantial patient discomfort. Patient recovery time can beminimal as no extensive tissue healing is required. The life span of theintragastric devices can be material dependent and is intended for longterm survivability within an acidic stomach environment for a leastabout six months, although it can be one year or longer.

FIG. 1 illustrates a reactive intragastric implant 100 comprising anunder filled central inflatable member 102 having outer wings 104 thattransition between floppy to stiff configurations. The entire implant100 defines a single fluid chamber therein. In the illustratedembodiment, the inflatable member 102 is substantially spherical, whilethe outer wings 104 resemble stems with a narrow proximal shaft 106terminating in a bulbous head 108. Also, a pair of the outer wings 104extend from opposite poles of the spherical inflatable member 102, whichis believed to facilitate alignment of the implant 100 within thestomach, though more than two such wings distributed more evenly aroundthe inflatable member could be provided.

FIG. 2A shows the intragastric implant 100 implanted in the stomach in arelaxed state, while FIG. 2B shows the implant 100 in a squeezed state,illustrating the transition of the outer wings 104 between floppy (FIG.2A) and stiff (FIG. 2B) configurations. The shape of the centralinflatable member 102 in FIG. 2B is a representation of the shape as ifsqueezed by the surrounding stomach walls, however the illustratedstomach is shown in its relaxed configuration. Transition between therelaxed and squeezed state of the implant 100 occurs when the stomachwalls squeeze the central inflatable member 102, thus pressurizing theouter wings 104. In other words, fluid is driven from the central member102 and into the outer wings 104.

Initially, the entire implant 100 is under filled with a fluid such assaline or air to a degree that the wings 104 are floppy, and apredetermined compressive force causes them to become stiff. Forexample, the fully filled volume of the intragastric implant 100 may bebetween 400-700 ml, though the implant is filled with less than that,thus providing slack for flow into the wings 104. Additionally, itshould be noted that under filling the implant 100 results in lowerstresses within the shell wall, which may improve the degradationproperties of the material within the stomach's harsh environment.

It should also be stated that any of the embodiments described hereinmay utilize materials that improve the efficacy of the implant. Forexample, a number of elastomeric materials may be used including, butnot limited to, rubbers, fluorosilicones, fluoroelastomers,thermoplastic elastomers, or any combinations thereof. The materials aredesirably selected so as to increase the durability of the implant andfacilitate implantation of at least six months, and preferably more than1 year.

Material selection may also improve the safety of the implant. Some ofthe materials suggested herein, for example, may allow for a thinnerwall thickness and have a lower coefficient of friction than theimplant.

The implantable devices described herein will be subjected to clinicaltesting in humans. The devices are intended to treat obesity, which isvariously defined by different medical authorities. In general, theterms “overweight” and “obese” are labels for ranges of weight that aregreater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height.The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been shown toincrease the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.

An embodiment of the present invention is an intragastric balloon with atolerance greater than that of the intragastric balloon shown in FIGS.1, 2 and 3A. Greater tolerance can be achieved by having a largerallowable amount of variation of a specified quantity, such as in thevolume and/or in the shape, of the intragastric balloon of the presentinvention. Such a greater tolerance intragastric balloon can also bereferred to as a more compliant intragastric balloon. A more compliantintragastric balloon can provide many advantages for the treatment ofobesity. Thus, known intragastric balloons require the device be filledwith from 400 ml to 900 ml of a fluid (typically saline or air)resulting once so filled in an intragastric balloon with a rigid,spherical implant geometry (as in FIG. 3A). Such a geometry can beresponsible for one or more of the known post-op (that is aftertransoral placement [implantation] of the intragastric device into thelumen of the stomach of a patient) adverse effects which can includenausea, intolerance (demanded removal of the device), abdominal pain,vomiting, reflux, and gastric perforation. Thus, when fluid filled,known intragastric devices undergo significant strain, and provide arelatively rigid fluid filled (inflated) balloon.

An intragastric balloon with increased tolerance (compliance) accordingto the present invention can provide superior gastric volume occupyingbenefits as compared to a known intragastric balloon, such as theORBERA™ bariatric intragastric balloon, (available from Allergan UK,Marlow, England), as well as reduced adverse events in the periodfollowing device implantation. ORBERA™ is a saline filled siliconeballoon that is placed in the stomach of a patient, filled with 400-700ml of saline, and then left in the stomach for up to six months toprovide a feeling of fullness, reduced appetite and weight loss.

An embodiment of the present invention is an intragastric balloon withincreased tolerance (a “compliant balloon” therefore) with a shell (avolume holding reservoir), and a valve for inflation. Both parts can bemade of silicone or other suitable material and can be implanted andexplanted transorally, through the esophagus, and into/out of thestomach during a minimally invasive gastroendoscopic procedure.

Importantly, the compliant balloon of the present invention uponinflation has an amorphous or variable (non-rigid) geometry due to therelationship between the volume of the shell and volume of fluid that isplaced into (used to fill) the shell. Additionally, the compliantballoon has a relatively larger and more relaxed silicone shell (ascompared to a device such as ORBERA™) thereby making the shell strainand rigidity comparably less than known intragastric balloons (ascompared to ORBERA™) which contain the same or a similar fill volume.The increased compliance, with the same volume occupation, provides animproved balloon shape, and the ability of a balloon within the scope ofthe present invention to readily conform to and/or to contour toindividual patient stomach anatomy (that is to the patient's particularinternal stomach lumen volume and/or configuration) thereby reducingadverse events upon implantation, while still providing a treatment ofobesity. FIG. 3 illustrates a principle or feature of an embodiment ofthe present invention to show an important difference between a known orstandard intragastric balloon 200 (FIG. 3A) and an embodiment of thepresent compliant intragastric balloon 300 (FIG. 3B). In a standardballoon configuration 200, a smaller initial shell (the left hand sideof FIG. 3A) is inflated (eg with a fluid such as saline) which stretchesthe balloon shell, thereby increasing internal pressure, and creates arigid sphere, as shown by the right hand side of FIG. 3A. Contrarily, acompliant balloon 300 has a larger initial shell volume (the left handside of FIG. 3B) and can be inflated to a similar volume, but does notplace the shell under major stretch which decreases internal pressure(as compared to the inflated FIG. 3A balloon) and produces an inflatedintragastric balloon with an amorphous or irregular shape, as shown bythe right hand side of FIG. 3B.

Another embodiment 400 of the present invention compliant balloon(roughly kidney shaped) is shown by FIG. 4, inflated within a stomach.The balloon 400 includes an outer shell having an inner wall surroundingand defining a closed inner chamber. The shell is configured to retainfluid in the chamber. This balloon 400 incorporates three balloonregions: a proximal medium sized region or portion 410, a large centralregion or portion 420, and a smaller distal region or portion 430. Themedium proximal portion 410 provides a balloon shell surface area whichcontacts and exerts a pressure on the proximal stomach to thereby inducesatiety. The larger central portion 420 functions as a stomach spacefilling region which sterically reduces appetite by preventing ingestedfood from occupying the same stomach volume. Smallest of the threecompliant balloon regions, portion 430 conforms to the more muscular,narrow antrum region of the stomach helping to maintain (“anchor”) theballoon within the stoma.

Thus, the embodiment 400 shown in FIG. 4 that has a larger centralsphere 420, and is overall kidney shaped. The volume compliance aspectof embodiment 400, as well as it's anatomically more natural geometryprovides a device that better conforms to stomach anatomy whichproviding maximum stomach volume occupation.

FIG. 5 shows a dipping mandrel 500 that can used as a mold to create theballoon 400, using known silicone shell production methods. As shown byFIG. 5, the mandrel 500 has radii (shown by the arrows in FIG. 5)connecting the spheres. The radii can be reduced in size (shorter) tothereby making the portions 410, 420 and 430 more defined (morespherical). Alternately, the radii can be increased (longer) in size tothereby making the portions 410, 420 and 430 less defined (lessspherical). Potential benefits of better defined (reduced radii) balloonportions of the implant can include ease of implantation and the fillingprocedure, or compacting for delivery through the esophagus.Additionally, benefits for less defined (longer radii) balloon portionscould include more stomach surface area contact, and fewer stressconcentrations on the shell.

An embodiment of the compliant balloon can be modified in any number ofways, while maintaining the core benefits of a compliant balloon, forexample for increased conformance of anatomy, reduced shell stresses,reduced patient adverse events, and equivalent gastric volume occupationand FIG. 6 illustrates some, but not all, potential alternatives. ThusFIG. 6 shows seven (A to G) alternative compliant balloon geometrieswith one or more radii altered. Note the dotted transitions between theindividual sections of each design, which represents the variableconnecting taper/curve that could be applied between each balloonportion. “Proximal” and “Distal” in FIG. 6 represent how the devicewould be placed in a patient's anatomy (proximal is closer to head).

FIG. 7 illustrates a kidney shaped embodiment 600 shown within a humanstomach. Embodiment 600 has a single balloon shape (only one unityshaped balloon region). Thereby as shown in FIG. 7 permitting embodiment600 to have close conformance to internal stomach anatomy, withoutrequiring the stomach to reshape (as would be required with a largespherical geometry intragastric balloon). Embodiment 600 is alsographically illustrated in FIGS. 6D and 6F with a tangential shelltaper.

Due to the increased compliance of the device 600, additional featurescan be applied to the design to prevent, or induce certain physiologicaland device related occurrences, for example because of the conformityand amorphous shell of device 600, features may be added to preventpremature passing of the device through the pylorus, as shown by FIG. 8.Thus, FIG. 8 shows features that can be added to a compliant balloonwithin the scope of the present invention to help maintain certainshapes, or prevent unintentional migration into the pylorus: A in FIG. 8shows increased thickness on the distal balloon segment, which wouldincrease rigidity along the section of device that is most likely toenter the pylorus; B in FIG. 8 shows a circumferential, or series, ofrings which would prevent collapse and eventual migration of the deviceinto the duodenum, and; C in FIG. 8 is one of several spines which canhelp maintain desired balloon shape.

Removal Features

It is known to use for the manufacture of an intragastric balloon aspherically shaped mandrel that is simply a to scale (i.e. scaled)version of the desired final intragastric balloon spherical shape, onceinflated. Thus, a spherical intragastric balloon such as Orbera can bemade using a similarly spherical mandrel. It has been thought thatanatomical (i.e. the shape of the stomach lumen) and endoscopicinsertion (i.e. the physical parameters of the esophagus, and ability toinsert with patient safety and comfort maintained) requirements dictateuse of a spherical intragastric balloon and hence use of a sphericalmandrel mandrel. Significantly, we have invented mandrels withnon-spherical shapes so that the resulting inflated intragastricballoons have concomitant non-spherical shapes. One benefit of using anon-spherical mandrel is that the resulting intragastric balloon madethereon can retain the shape of the non-spherical mandrel once theintragastric balloon has been deflated, unlike the situation with anintragastric balloon made on a spherical mandrel. An additional benefitof using a non-spherical mandrel is that the resulting non-sphericalintragastric balloon can facilitate easy grasping for improved removalof the non-spherical intragastric balloon from the stomach of thepatient. Furthermore, use of a non-spherical mandrel also can facilitateeasy grasping and improved removal of completed non-sphericalintragastric balloon from the mandrel because a spherical mandrel can bedifficult to grasp due to the lack of grasping features on themanufactured shell of the spherical intragastric balloon. An embodimentof our non-spherical intragastric balloon shell is much easier to graspfor removal from the mandrel because the shell has folds or otherfeatures in the shell that assist grasping.

FIG. 9A to 9D show several non-spherical mandrel embodiments thatincorporate features which aid removal of the shell from the mandrel.The geometry of the FIG. 9A to 9D mandrels is such that there exist oneor more features of the resulting shell formed on the mandrel which makemanipulation or grasping of the balloon much easier, as compared to aspherical intragastric balloon shell made on a spherical mandrel. ThusFIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate mandrel features that create a shell with afold or fold-like geometry which result in the shell being more readilygrasped and removed from the mandrel. Specifically, FIG. 9A is a diagramof a mandrel 700 with a cavity 710 useful for making an embodiment ofthe present intragastric balloon. FIG. 9B is a diagram of anothermandrel 800 useful for making another embodiment of the presentintragastric balloon. Mandrel 800 has one or more circular orsemi-circular latitudinal ridges 810 to assist grasping and removal ofthe intragastric balloon formed thereon. FIG. 9C is a diagram of anothermandrel 900 useful for making another further embodiment of the presentintragastric balloon. Mandrel 900 has one or more circular orsemi-circular longitudinal ridges 910 to assist grasping and removal ofthe intragastric balloon formed thereon. FIG. 9D is a diagram of anothermandrel 1000 useful for making another embodiment of the presentintragastric balloon. Mandrel 1000 has one or spaced pits 1010 to assistgrasping and removal of the intragastric balloon formed thereon.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an embodiment 1100 of an inflatedintragastric balloon made using mandrel 700.

Barium Integration

Visualization of intragastric balloons in a patient is often doneendoscopically. While this offers the greatest visibility, it is alsofairly invasive. On the other hand, fluoroscopy or radiographs are farless invasive, but typically provide poor visualization of the lumen ofthe stomach making eg the intra-stomach lumen location and amount ofinflation of the intragastric balloon difficult or impossible todetermine. For example using x rays many intragastric balloons beingmade of thermoplastics and thermoset plastic are difficult todifferentiate from surrounding tissue.

To address and resolve these deficiencies of existing visualizationmethods of an inserted (in the stomach) intragastric balloonvisualization we developed intragastric balloons in which a radiopaquesubstance is incorporated into the shell of the intragastric balloonthereby dramatically improving intra-luminal visualization. Thus, byoptimizing the radiopacity of the entire intragastric balloonvisualization with minimally invasive x-ray technologies is greatlyimproved. A suitable radiopaque substance (such as barium sulfate) canbe incorporated into the intragastric balloon homogeneously, or it maybe incorporated in different amounts in various layers of the shell ofthe intragastric device. In a particular embodiment because addition ofbarium sulfate can reduce the GI/stomach acid resistance of theintragastric device shell material, the barium sulfate is incorporatedinto the inner layer(s) of the intragastric device shell, while leavingthe outer layers of the intragastric device shell as more resistant.

Methods of Delivery

The Orbera intragastric device has a silicone sheath. As the Orberaballoon is inflated, the sheath stretches and tears in areas that arepre-cut. Full inflation of the balloon ensures complete deployment ofthe Orbera balloon and valve from its sheath. With the present compliantintragastric balloon, this same sheath is unsuitable, because thepresent intragastric balloon is underinflated (relative to mandrel size)so that present intragastric balloon never exerts enough force on thesheath to allow for full deployment. Therefore an alternativeintragastric device delivery (insertion) method was developed as setforth below

As shown by FIG. 11 one such method developed involves wrapping theintragastric balloon in a sheath 1200 with a suture that is tied in aseries of slip knots 1210. A slip string 1220 runs along the length ofthe fill tube and is long enough to pull from outside the body (afterthe intragastric balloon is placed in the stomach). Pulling on thestring 1220 unties all of the knots 1210 and frees the (uninflated)intragastric balloon in the stomach. The string 1220 is then retrievedfrom the stomach and the intragastric balloon is filled as usual.

In an alternative embodiment, one can use vision a piece of sheetingthat wraps the intragastric balloon. This sheeting can be held closedwith a string or some other component that can be activated uponcommand. Activation of this component (string for example) would loosenthe wrap and free the device. The string and wrap could then beretrieved from the stomach.

To summarize, the compliant balloon provides: a soft, compliant implantthat is capable of conforming to patient's anatomy while providinggastric volume occupation (i.e. resulting in the patient experience afeeling of fullness); greater patient tolerance of the implant,resulting in reduced recorded post-operative adverse events; low levelof strain on the compliant balloons thereby increasing device longevityin the stomach and increased implant durability and resistance todegradation in the gastric environment; reduced patient ulcers andlesions that can be associated with known rigid volume occupyingintragastric balloon implants; a low pressure device, as opposed toknown intragastric balloons that have increased internal pressureproportional to their fill volume.

EXAMPLE Example 1: Implantation of a Compliant Balloon

The compliant balloon can be made of a silicone material such as 3206silicone. Any fill valve can be made from 4850 silicone with 6% BaSo₄.Tubular structures or other flexible conduits can be made from siliconerubber as defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Codeof Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21 Section 177.2600. The compliantballoon is intended to occupy a gastric space while also applyingintermittent pressure to various and changing areas of the stomach; thedevice can stimulate feelings of satiety, thereby functioning as atreatment for obesity. The device is implanted transorally via endoscopeinto the corpus of the stomach using endoscopy. Nasal/Respiratoryadministration of oxygen and isoflurane is used to maintain anesthesiaas necessary.

The compliant balloon within the scope of the present invention can beused for the treatment of obesity as follows. A 45 male patient with abody mass index of 42 who has failed a regime of dieting and exercise,is recalcitrant to oral medication, declines sleeve gastrectomy, orother restrictive GI surgery, has comorbidies including diabetes, highblood pressure and reduced life expectancy sign an informed consent forimplantation of the compliant balloon. After an overnight fast, undermidazolam conscious sedation (max, 5 mg), endoscopy is performed to ruleout any GI abnormalities that would preclude the procedure on thepatient. A balloon 400 or 600 is then inserted into the gastric fundus,and 300 ml saline solution is used for balloon inflation, under directendoscopic vision. The patient remains for 2 hours in the recovery room,to verify full recovery from sedation, before discharge. Weight losscommence almost immediately and the patient reports no nausea,intolerance, abdominal pain, vomiting, or reflux, and no gastricperforation occurs.

An alternate more detailed implant procedure is as follows:

-   -   a) Perform preliminary endoscopy on the patient to examine the        GI tract and determine if there are any anatomical anomalies        which may affect the procedure and/or outcome of the study.    -   b) Insert and introducer into the over-tube.    -   c) Insert a gastroscope through the introducer inlet until the        flexible portion of the gastroscope is fully exited the distal        end of the introducer.    -   d) Leading under endoscopic vision, gently navigate the        gastroscope, followed by the introducer/over-tube, into the        stomach.    -   e) Remove gastroscope and introducer while keeping the over-tube        in place. Optionally place the insufflation cap on the        over-tubes inlet, insert the gastroscope, and navigate back to        the stomach cavity. Optionally, insufflate the stomach with        air/inert gas to provide greater endoscopic visual working        volume.    -   f) Collapse the gastric implant and insert the lubricated        implant into the over-tube, with inflation catheter following if        required.    -   g) Under endoscopic vision, push the gastric implant down the        over-tube with gastroscope until visual confirmation of        deployment of the device into the stomach can be determined.    -   h) Remove the guide-wire from the inflation catheter is used.    -   i) To inflate using 50-60 cc increments of sterile saline, up to        about 300 ml fill volume.    -   j) Remove the inflation catheter via over-tube.    -   k) Inspect the gastric implant under endoscopic vision for valve        leakage, and any other potential anomalies.    -   l) Remove the gastroscope from over-tube.    -   m) Remove the over-tube from the patient.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understoodas being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly,unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth inthe specification and attached claims are approximations that may varydepending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. At the veryleast, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine ofequivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter shouldat least be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

All publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference.Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of thepresent invention. Other modifications that may be employed are withinthe scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not oflimitation, alternative configurations of the present invention may beutilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, thepresent invention is not limited to that precisely as shown anddescribed.

We claim:
 1. An intragastric balloon configured to be implantedtransorally into a patient's stomach to treat obesity, the intragastricballoon comprising: an inflatable, closed, hollow, compliant bodyincluding an outer shell having an inner wall surrounding and defining aclosed inner chamber, the closed inner chamber having a volume that issubstantially the same both before and after the closed inner chamber isfilled with a fluid, wherein, in an implanted state, the closed innerchamber is filled partially with the fluids the body having a proximalend and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the shell beingconfigured to retain the fluid in the closed inner chamber, wherein thebody is made of a material that permits the body to be compressed into asubstantially linear transoral delivery configuration, and that willresist degradation over a period of at least six months within thestomach, and wherein the closed inner chamber has one or moreinterconnected regions extending between the proximal and distal ends ofthe body, such that the fluid can flow freely within the closed innerchamber, the inflatable body filled with the fluid having a fluid volumethat is less than the body volume, the body being constructed to conformto the shape of the stomach.
 2. The intragastric balloon of claim 1,wherein the fluid volume is between about 300 ml and about 700 ml. 3.The intragastric balloon of claim 2, wherein the shell at the distalregion has a greater thickness than the shell at the proximal region toprevent migration of the balloon out of the stomach.
 4. The intragastricballoon of claim 2, wherein the body includes a plurality of latitudinalridges.
 5. The intragastric balloon of claim 2, wherein the bodyincludes a plurality of longitudinal ridges.
 6. The intragastric balloonof claim 2, wherein the body includes a plurality of spaced pits.
 7. Theintragastric balloon of claim 1, wherein the body has a plurality ofregions including a proximal region and a distal region, and an outerwall of the shell of the body tapers from the proximal region to thedistal region.
 8. An intragastric balloon configured to be implantedtransorally into a patient's stomach to treat obesity, the intragastricballoon comprising: an inflatable, closed, hollow, non-spherical bodyincluding a body shell, the body having a volume between about 300 mlsand about 700 mls, which volume is substantially the same both beforeand after inflation of the body with a fluid, the fluid occupying lessthan the volume of the body, wherein the body shell is made of acompliant material and is permitted to be compressed into asubstantially linear transoral delivery configuration, and that willresist degradation over a period of at least six months within thestomach, wherein the body has a single closed Internal chamber in whichthe fluid can flow freely, the inflatable body being under-inflated toconform to the shape of the stomach, wherein the body has a proximalregion and a distal region, the proximal region larger than the distalregion, the proximal region for inducing satiety by exerting a pressureon the stomach, and a smaller distal region for anchoring the balloonwithin the stomach, wherein the shell at one of the proximal region andthe distal region is thicker than the body wall at the other of theproximal region and the distal region.
 9. The intragastric balloon ofclaim 8, wherein the shell of the distal region is thicker than theshell at the proximal region to prevent migration of the balloon out ofthe stomach.
 10. The intragastric balloon of claim 8, wherein the bodytapers from the proximal region to the distal region.
 11. Theintragastric balloon of claim 8, wherein the body is substantiallyconical in shape.
 12. The intragastric balloon of claim 8, wherein theshell includes a plurality of circumferential grooves.
 13. Theintragastric balloon of claim 8, wherein the shell includes a pluralityof latitudinal ridges.
 14. The intragastric balloon of claim 8, whereinthe shell includes a plurality of longitudinal ridges.